Sign language is music to the ears

NINE Sheffield schools are among 900 across the country to have signed up to a world record attempt - for the most young people signing and singing a song simultaneously.

The schools involved are Ballifield Primary School at Handsworth, Bradfield Dungworth Primary School, Greengate Lane Primary School in High Green, Handsworth Grange Community Sports College, Meersbrook Bank Community Primary School, Nook Lane Junior School in Stannington, St Catherine’s Catholic Primary School at Firshill, St Thomas More Catholic Primary School at Grenoside, Stannington Infant School and Wharncliffe Side Primary School.

But organisers of the Sign2Sing event, which will take place on Wednesday, February 6, are still appealing for more schools to sign up to take part.

Steve Powell, chief executive of SignHealth, which is the national healthcare charity for deaf people, said: “More than 900 schools have so far signed up for sign2sing but we are hoping around 1,200 schools will participate to ensure we manage to break our current world record.

“The closing date for registrations is Wednesday, January 23.

“We are urging schools to sign up as soon as possible.”

The event is designed to raise awareness of SignHealth and its work, as well as acting as a fundraiser for the charity.

A suggested £1 donation is set to be collected from everyone taking part.

Young people involved will learn to sign a song called ‘sign2sing’.

Schools wanting to take part should visit www.sign2sing.org.uk or call 01494 687 600.